Reclosable containers



Filed July 16. 1956.

I NVENTOR RECLOSABLE CONTAINERS Paul J. Graybill, New Haven, Conn.

Application July 16, 1956, Serial No. 597,952

4 Claims. (Cl. 229-16) The present invention relates to reclosable containers having a baifie and a hinged solid tray-type swing-top cover.

Broad objective The broad objective of my invention is to provide a one-piece Brightwood type swing-top container, with an inherent baflle, formed of foldable stock, having a solid tray-type full end-closure means hingedly joined to one side-wall thereof, which means being manually operable in opening and closing said container end, said container being in all practical respects similar to a co-pending container of the folding box type except that in the present instance the construction is of the Brightwood type rather than the regular glue-end folding box, said baffle being of two parts coming off the two side gluelaps instead of being of one piece off the one glue-lap as in the co-pending container, said container closure-end being so constructed that it has inherent means to retain said swing-top in a closed position until forced to open, said swing-top also to close over and about said bafile which is joined about on three sides of said container, said baffle to prevent interference with the contents of said container as said closure-means is being swung about in opening and closing, said container to be so designed also as to require a minimum of stock, and to accommodate itself to either of two methods of packaging the contents therein; (1) the wrap around method with no preformation of the container, or (2) the insertion method using a partially preformed container; this structure being especially advantageous and desirable in that it can be used on the several types of existing machines with minor adjustments and/or alterations, and especially is this true in its use on the Brightwood type machine when preformation is desirable, or on the standard wrapping machine when no preformation is desirable.

This structure is also desirable in that it is useful in packaging a variety of products, either pre-Wrapped or non-pre-wrapped, such as pencils, crayons, sticks of any type, cigarettes or cigars or one piece instruments or bottles, and any pre-bagged dispensing product such as cereal and the like. Its particular advantage in which case, is that it allows for the complete unwrapping of the end of the inner closure bag for dispensing and then the rewrapping of the bag before reclosing the container swing-top to afford the double protection thus provided. This container thus in various sizes and arrangements is unusually well adapted for such uses because of its extreme economy and efiicient use of stock, as well as case of formation and variation in methods of packaging. It can be accommodated to many products and to a variety of machines.

Specific objectives The more specific objectives of my'invention are as swing-top container with a full end opening and reclosing nitecl States Patent means, said means consisting of a four walled end-closure having one of said walls hingedly joined to one of the walls of said container, and the other three walls out free from the corresponding three walls of the container to be thus swung about on the hinged connection.

2. To provide in addition, a container having an inherent bafile adhered on the inward surface of the said three walls, said bafile to extend to substantially replace the wall portions having been cut free to form the walls of the swing-top. Said bafile may have a finger access area cut therefrom to facilitate the dispensing of such products as cigarettes for instance.

3. To provide such a container that is readily'openable and as readily closable and which is retained in its closed position by virtue of the relation of the hinged connection and the extreme end of the batfie which distance is slightly greater than the distance from the hinged connection to the nearest point on the inner surface of the opposite side-wall of the hard swing-top, which formation causes friction and displacement, as the swing-top is being closed or opened and results in a proclivity to remain either closed or opened as the case may be.

4. To provide such a container so constructed as to be formed as a Brightwood container, with the exception of having the two parts of the baflle construction appended to the two opposing inner glue-laps on the side walls of said container which baffie parts are to be adhered to the inside of the outer container walls when the package is pre-glued or wrapped about the product first when the package is not pre-glued. In either case the end closure, which forms the swing-top is formed substantially as any regular glue-end container is currently done.

5. And still further to provide a container so constructed as to require the overlapping of stock on three sides only, in the formation of the container itself or the baffle therein, this being accomplished by providing tearaway hinge-tabs in the regular side glue-laps to bind the said swing-top together at the corners, said tabs to extend downward from the outer ends of said glue-laps substantially to the juncture of the hinge on the back wall of said swing-top, said tabs to be torn free on the initial opening by reason of being adhered to the side-wall and end-closure of said swing-top, thus leaving a gap in said baffle edges, from which they are torn when said swingtop is in an open position.

6. To provide such a container having extension-tabs on the side walls of the swing-top protruding outwardly beyond the gaps in said baffie edges to prevent interlocking and interference in closing.

Designations of illustrations These and other objectives and advantages will become apparent as the following detailed description proceeds, when reference is made to the accompanying drawings; wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown the principle embodiment of my invention.

Fig. l is a view of the inside surface of the blank which forms the container as claimed, showing the various creases and cuts as well as the areas where glue is applied on the outside surface,

Fig. 2 is a view of the blank showing the first step in the formation of the container with the baffle in position,

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the front of the container formed from the blank of Fig. l and 2 in an open position showing the position of the contents,

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the front of the container in its closed position,

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view of the container as indicated in Fig. 4 showing the double U-shaped structure of the baffle and the U-shaped structure of the three outer side walls.

Description and manufacturing procedure Referring then to the drawings in which the same or similar parts are indicated in the various drawings by the same number for ease in identification, Figs. 1 to show the basic embodiment of my invention, Fig. 1 is a view of the inside surface of the blank, showing the creases, cuts and perforations which are required to form the various par-ts as claimed, and the shaded areas, where glue is applied on the outside surface to form and seal the baffle B, as well also as to seal the top closure of the swing-top P.

The four walled body of the container and the four walls of the swing-top are formed from the panels designated as 1,2, 3 and 4 with the extensions 1P, 2P, 3? and 4P, which extensions actually form the four walls of the swing-top P. The glue-flaps 1F, 2F, 3F and 4F together with the glue-lap extensions 5F form the top end-closure of the swing-top P. Glue-flaps 4FB, and SFB form the bottom closure of the container. Panels 5 and 6, being two of each, form the baffle of the container, with panels 5 serving the double purpose of being also the side glue-laps of the Brightwood type of container. These several parts are articulated to or cut from each other by creases and cuts as indicated to properly form the container, some are further modified to form the swing-top P. Cut 12 on panel 2, and cuts 8 on panels 1 and 3 together with perforation lines 11 on 1 and 3 from the separation line of the two side walls and front wall of swing-top P. Crease and variant cuts 14 and perforation lines 15 likewise form the demarcation of the rear side wall of swing-top P and the hingetabs 5H, these together with the attached glue-flaps 5F, 4F, 3F, 2F and IF form the end-closure of and the swingtop P. Panels 6 are modified by finger access notches 6N which together give finger access to the contents of the container as shown in Fig. 3.

When container of Figs. 4 and 3 is pre-glued and later packaged the procedure is as follows: The blank is run through a Brightwood type box former during which process glue is spotted at the appropriate time on the shaded areas of panels 5 and 6, glue-flaps SFB, hinge tabs 5H, and glue-lap extensions 5F. Glue-flap 4FB is plunged downward as glue-flaps SFB are somewhat restrained to move upwardly and inwardly and panels 5 and 6 on eaclh side are rotated about until they form the baffle as is somewhat indicated in Fig. 2. Side walls 1 and 3 and front wall 2 are then forced inwardly to wrap about and adhere to baffle B which completes the formation of the pre-glued container. After the product has been inserted through the open end, the upper end closure is formed in the usual way. Glue-flap 4F is rotated inwardly to 90 after glue has been applied on its outer surface, glue-flaps 1F and SF together with the adhered glue-lap extensions 5F are then rotated inwardly after glue has been applied to their outer surface, and finally glue-flaps 2F is rotated inwardly and brought to bear thereon and caused to adhere, which closes and seals the container as shown in Fig. 4.

When container 20 of Figs. 4 and 3 is not pre-glued but formed directly about the contents by a wrapping machine the procedure would be as follows: The blank is presented to the wrapping machine which places the contents as cigarettes for instance on panel 4, at which point glue is applied to the indicated areas on the outside surface of the blank, on panels 5 and 6, glue-flaps 5FB, 5F and 4F and on hinge tabs 5H. Simultaneously glue-flaps 4F and SP5 are rotated upwardly, followed closely by the upward rotation of glue-laps 5 which also carry panels 6 which are further rotated about to fully enclose the contents. Glue-flap 4FB is then rotated upwardly to 90 carrying with it panels 1, 2 and 3 with their modified parts and articulated appendages, 1P, 2P, 3P, 1F, 2F and 3F. Panel 2 is then rotated inwardly and brought to bear on panels 6 where it adheres. Panels 1 and 3 are rotated downwardly to adhere to glue-laps 5. Glue-flaps 1F and 3F have glue applied to their outer surface and with glue-lap extensions 5F are rotated inwardly to contact and adhere to glue-flap 4F which has had glue applied and been previously rotated inwardly to 90. Glue-flap 2F is then rotated downward to contact glue-flaps 1F and 3F as well as in part 4F and is there adhered thus closing the top end and completing the packaging and formation of the swing-top container, as shown in Fig. 4.

When the container of Fig. 4 is to be opened as shown in Fig. 3, the swing-top P consisting of panels 1P, 2P, 3P and 4P would be grasped by the hand and broken backward at crease 10 on the back wall, to tear perforations 11 and 15 and swing the tray-type end closure to its open position as in Fig. 3.

The swing-top can then be swung about its hinged connection at crease 10 to close the container. Front wall 2? will drag on the upper edge of panel 6 to insure against accidental opening due to the relative distances from the hinge to the front wall 2? and the upper end of panels 6.

Fig. 5 shows the container in cross section as indicated in Fig. 4. The double U construction of the back wall 4, the two glue-laps 5 and the baffle panels 6 is especially well illustrated, as also is the single U construction of the three outside container walls 1, 2 and 3, which combination affords an unusually strong structure.

Novelty It should be noted at this point how the novelty of this construction affords additional benefits which similar swing-top structures do not afford. The most essential and obvious advantage over some similar types is that the instant structure is one-piece, as well as being more economical in the use of stock in its structure. It retains unusual sturdiness in having three complete walls reinforced by the baffie and all junctures of walls or bottom structures sealed and complete where some others do not, e. g., it affords multiple adhered structure on both the top and bottom closures.

The instant structure has overlapping of stock on three sides only, as some do not, which not only saves stock but simplifies its formation machine-wise, still affording complete protection on the side wall seams.

Small easily opened perforated lines secure the swingtop from accidental opening, which together with its formation on a modified Brightwood machine with its economy, or packaging on a modified wrapping machine with its speed and economy are among the advantages inherent in the present structure only.

These and other advantages are all inherent in my construction and no other known structure includes them all.

The need for an economical container of the type herein claimed with the swing-top that can be readily opened and readily reclosed, one that can be cut from foldable stock and economically formed and filled on less expensive machinery is currently urgent, especially is this true since many products are being packaged that lend themselves to such a container. More and more the consumer is demanding a reclosable container for products that heretofore have been either unpackaged or packaged in non-reclosable packages. Many products which require an inner wrap and are presently packaged in nonreclosable packages, could be packaged to advantage in the instant structure, since the container itself is reclosable and effects a very efficient seal, as well as lends itself to the reclosure of the innerwrap itself where one may be used.

Cereals, powdered milk, mixes etc. are a few of the products which would be very efi'iciently packaged in the instant structure.

The features of the container herein described, used in toto and in various sizes and arrangements solve these urgent problems to a decided degree, and these features namely a swing-top and a baffle with or without a finger access notch, in a one-piece construction with the bafie coming off the glue-laps, together with hinge-tabs which allow the economy of the overlapping of stock on three sides only, as well as the simplicity of wrapping which this affords, are new and constitute a decided advance in the art of container design, and all are applicable to the embodiment of my invention as herein set forth. It is understood that this embodiment is only exemplary and and various changes in shape, size and arrangements of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the sub-joined claims.

I claim:

1. A one piece container of foldable material comprised of two pair of opposing walls, the front and rear walls and two side walls, disposed to form the tubular body of said container, each pair substantially equal in size and form, parallel to each other and perpendicular to the other pair, each of said four walls having articulated to each end thereof an end closure member, the front and back walls at their bottom end being articulated to the same member, which member forms one course of said bottom endclosure with the side-wall closure members forming the other, at least partial course thereof, said top end-closure being formed by the four top closure members each being disposed inwardly at 90 to said walls forming the adhesively joined multiple course end-closure, said four walled container having a baffle partially adhered to the inner surface of the two side Walls and the front wall thereof, said baffle being of two parts, each part being articulated to the back wall of said container at its juncture with the side walls, and extending fully across the container side wall and the two together across the consides of a tray-type swing-top with the upper part of the back wall of said container forming the fourth wall thereof, being articulated to said back wall by a hingecrease, said baffle having articulated thereto two glue-lap extensions each adjacent to said juncture with said rear wall said extensions being disposed inwardly at to said bafiie and adhered to said top multiple-course endclosure, said bafile also being modified by two hinge-tabs articulated to said glue-lap extensions and cut tearably free from said baffle said hinge-tabs being adhered to the side walls of said swing-top and so dimensioned as to extend downwardly to said hinge-crease, said swing-top in one position to be rotated about on said back-wall hingecrease to open said container-end when said perforated lines have been torn free, and in another position to close said container-end and position about said baffie on three sides thereof.

2. The container of claim 1 having said baflle so dimensioned and positioned that the terminal end thereof interferes by frictional engagement With the front Wall of said swing-top, When said swing-top is rotated thereabout in opening and closing.

3. The container of claim 2 having a finger access notch cut in the upper portion of the front panel of said baffle to facilitate the removal of the contents of said container.

4. The container of claim 2 in which the side walls of said swing-top are so dimensioned and formed to provide protrusion-tabs on the ends thereof which extend on at least part of their width substantially beyond the edge of and continue to overlap the side walls of said baffle when said swing-top is in an open position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 643,366 Stecher Feb. 13, 1900 2,367,476 Tyrseck Jan. 16, 1945 2,473,055 Guyer June 14, 1949 2,514,381 Feigelman July 11, 1950 

